Detana!! TwinBee

{{Short description|1991 video game}}

{{Infobox video game

|title = Detana!! TwinBee

|image = Detana!! TwinBee arcade flyer.jpg

|developer = Konami

|publisher = Konami

|director = Masato Ohsawa

|designer = Hiroyuki Ashida
K. Ishimoto
Ryouhei Shogaki

|programmer = Toru Shimomura

|artist = Shūjirō Hamakawa

|composer = Hidenori Maezawa
Masae Nakashima
Michiru Yamane

|series = TwinBee

|platforms = Arcade, EZweb, i-mode, Nintendo Switch, PC Engine, PlayStation, PlayStation 4, Sega Saturn, X68000, Yahoo Mobile

|released = {{vgrelease|JP|February 1991|NA/EU|March 1991}}

|genre = Vertically scrolling shooter

|modes = Single-player, co-op

|arcade system = JAMMA

}}

{{nihongo foot|Detana!! TwinBee,|出たな!! ツインビー|Detana!! TsuinBī|lit. "Here Comes TwinBee!!", also known as Bells & Whistles in Europe.|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} released in Europe and North America as Bells & Whistles, is a 1991 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published by Konami. It is the fifth entry in the TwinBee series and the second to be released for arcades following the original TwinBee (previous sequels were released directly to home consoles). Set several years after the events of TwinBee, players assume the role of Light and Pastel (marking their debut appearance) taking control of TwinBee and WinBee to defeat invading forces of the evil alien Iva and save planet Meru after receiving an SOS message sent by Princess Melora.

Detana!! TwinBee marked the debut of Japanese animator Shūjirō Hamakawa (credited under the pen name Shuzilow.Ha) as primary character designer for subsequent installments of the TwinBee series. The game proved popular among Japanese arcade players, earning several awards from Gamest magazine, while its ports to other platforms were also met with positive response from critics. A direct follow-up, Pop'n TwinBee, was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993.

Gameplay

File:ARC Detana!! TwinBee (Bells & Whistles).png

Detana!! TwinBee is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up game following the same conventions established in the original TwinBee, where players assume the role of Light and Pastel (whose names are given in the audio drama TwinBee Paradise) taking control of TwinBee (P1) and WinBee (P2) across seven levels to defeat invading forces of the evil alien Iva and save planet Meru after receiving an SOS message sent by Princess Melora.Detana!! TwinBee arcade flyer (Konami, JP)Bells & Whistles operator's manual (Arcade, EU){{cite web|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/detana-twinbee/|title=Detana!! TwinBee|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=January 3, 2015|access-date=2020-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809023211/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/detana-twinbee/|archive-date=2020-08-09|url-status=live}}

The control configuration differs between regions; in the Japanese version, one button is used to fire the gun at airborne enemies while the other is used to drop bombs to the ground, while both buttons are used to do shoot and drop bombs at the same time in the European version. Holding down the shot button will cause a power-meter at the bottom of the screen to fill up, allowing the player to fire a "Big Shot" attack when releasing the button. Power-up items consist of bells which can be uncovered by shooting the floating clouds, as well as items uncovered by destroying land enemies. As with TwinBee, players can shoot the floating bells to change their colors. Besides the five different colors from the original TwinBee (yellow, white, blue, green, and red), two new bells are introduced: a purple bell that provides a "tail shield", activating barriers around the player's ship and a black bell that decreases speed of the ship.

Mini-bells and the lucky star from the first TwinBee return as well. GwinBee, a ship similar to TwinBee and WinBee also appears, allowing players to combine their ship with GwinBee to fire wider fire beams. Two players can also align their ships side by side to achieve the same effect or align their ships vertically for a powerful five-way spread. If both players align their ships with GwinBee between them, he will spring out and destroy all on-screen enemies. After the first loop is completed, players can replay it for a harder second loop. The game will be entirely over if the final stage is cleared again, but running out of lives results in a game over unless players insert more credits into the arcade machine to continue and receive a "free" power-up.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Development

Detana!! TwinBee was created by most of the same team that worked on several projects at Konami such as the Gradius series, with director Masato Ohsawa leading its development and Toru Shimomura served as sole programmer of the game while Hiroshi Matsuura also served as engineer.{{cite video game|title=Detana!! TwinBee|developer=Konami|publisher=Konami|date=1991|platform=Arcade|level=Staff roll}} Ryouhei Shogaki, Hiroyuki Ashida and K. Ishimoto acted as co-designers.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/i-ii-iii-iv#page/n146/mode/1up|title=Gradius IV Interview|work=Gradius Portable Official Guide -Legend of I・II・III・IV・Gaiden-|series=Konami Official Books|publisher=Konami|date=28 March 2006|pages=144–149|language=ja|isbn=4-86155-111-0}} ([http://shmuplations.com/gpg-gradiusiv/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220184111/http://shmuplations.com/gpg-gradiusiv/|date=2020-02-20}}). The title marked the debut of Japanese animator Shūjirō Hamakawa (credited under the pseudonym Shuzilow.Ha) in his first project as game designer, serving as character illustrator for subsequent installments of the TwinBee series.{{cite magazine|last=Ohno|first=Junji|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamest125Gokujuparodiusspecialissue#page/n100/mode/2up|title=Making of 極上パロディウス - 極上パロディウス開発者インタビュー!!|magazine=Gamest|issue=125|publisher=Shinseisha|date=15 September 1994|pages=97–100|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/parodius/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811103212/http://shmuplations.com/parodius/|date=2020-08-11}}).{{cite web|last=Hamakawa|first=Shūjirō|url=http://www.aya.or.jp/~tetrapod/HA/DATA/HA/twinbee/design.html|title=GALLERY>MAJOR-ZONE>TWIN BEE>キャラクターデザイン画 - ■ツインビーシリーズ|work=Shuzilow HA Design Works|publisher=Aya|date=2001|access-date=2020-11-13|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203121230/http://www.aya.or.jp/~tetrapod/HA/DATA/HA/twinbee/design.html|archive-date=2007-02-03|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Hamakawa|first=Shūjirō|url=http://www.aya.or.jp/~shuzilow/HA/DATA/WORK_S.html|title=-WORKS-|work=Shuzilow HA Design Works|publisher=Aya|date=2010|access-date=2020-11-13|language=ja|archive-date=2011-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116062339/http://www.aya.or.jp/~shuzilow/HA/DATA/WORK_S.html|url-status=live}} Konami Kukeiha Club members Hidenori Maezawa, Masae Nakashima and Michiru Yamane scored the soundtrack.{{cite web|last=Greening|first=Chris|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/michiruyamaneinterview/|title=Michiru Yamane Interview: The Musical Legacy of Castlevania|website=vgmonline.net|publisher=Video Game Music Online|date=February 19, 2010|access-date=2020-11-13|archive-date=2020-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110020035/http://www.vgmonline.net/michiruyamaneinterview/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Fuentes|first=Edgar S.|url=https://vandal.elespanol.com/vandalgamemusic/michiru-yamane-musica-de-camara-en-consolas|title=Vandal Game Music: Michiru Yamane. Música de cámara en consolas - Repasamos la carrera de una de las más importantes compositoras que han trabajado para Konami|work=Vandal|publisher=El Español|date=February 7, 2018|access-date=2020-11-13|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208030031/https://vandal.elespanol.com/vandalgamemusic/michiru-yamane-musica-de-camara-en-consolas|archive-date=2018-02-08|url-status=live}} Yamane said that she wrote the music as colorful and fun to match the "cute bee world" of the project.

Release

Image:dettwinbee.jpg]]

Detana!! TwinBee was first released by Konami in 1991 for arcades in Japan in February and Europe in March as Bells & Whistles.{{cite magazine|last=Yamashita|first=Nobuyuki|url=https://archive.org/stream/micomBASIC_1991-04#page/n253/mode/1up|title=Super Soft Hot Information: Video Games - 出たな!! ツインビー|magazine={{ill|Micom BASIC Magazine|lt=Micom BASIC Magazine|ja|マイコンBASICマガジン}}|issue=106|publisher={{ill|The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|lt=The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|ja|電波新聞社}}|date=April 1991|page=254|lang=ja}}{{cite book|last=Akagi|first=Masumi|url=https://archive.org/stream/ArcadeGameList1971-2005#page/n123/mode/1up|title= コナミ(コナミ工業)Konami; Konami; B|work=アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内•海外編 (1971-2005)|edition=1st|publisher=Amusement News Agency|date=13 October 2006|pages=28, 122, 147|isbn=978-4990251215|language=ja}} The game was first ported to the X68000 computer on December 6, 1991.{{cite web|url=http://www.konami.co.jp/cs/etc2.html|title=Other Hard's Soft - X-68000シリーズ|publisher=Konami|date=1996|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961108212455/http://www.konami.co.jp/cs/etc2.html|archive-date=1996-11-08|url-status=live}} The title was then ported to the PC Engine on February 28, 1992.{{cite web|url=http://www.konami.co.jp/cs/pce.html|title=PC-Engine's Soft|publisher=Konami|date=1996|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961108212558/http://www.konami.co.jp/cs/pce.html|archive-date=1996-11-08|url-status=live}} This conversion is notable for being one of the earliest works of Koji Igarashi at Konami, serving as enemy programmer.{{cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/17/5514588/koji-igarashi-castlevania-leaves-konami|title=Veteran Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi leaves Konami|work=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|date=March 17, 2014|access-date=2020-11-14|archive-date=2015-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610041630/http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/17/5514588/koji-igarashi-castlevania-leaves-konami|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Barder|first=Ollie|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2018/03/21/koji-igarashi-on-bloodstained-and-why-aura-battler-dunbine-is-the-best-anime-ever-made/?sh=d4103c61d18e|title=Koji Igarashi On 'Bloodstained' And Why 'Aura Battler Dunbine' Is The Best Anime Ever Made|work=Forbes|date=March 21, 2018|access-date=2020-11-14|archive-date=2020-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114020445/https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2018/03/21/koji-igarashi-on-bloodstained-and-why-aura-battler-dunbine-is-the-best-anime-ever-made/?sh=d4103c61d18e|url-status=live}} In September 1995, it was included as part of the Detana TwinBee Yahho! Deluxe Pack compilation for Sega Saturn and PlayStation.{{cite web|url=https://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slps00100.html|title=出たなツインビーヤッホー! DELUXE PACK|work=PlayStation Official Site Software Catalog|publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment|date=2020|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-date=2010-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202092849/http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slps00100.html|url-status=live}}{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee1.html|title=セガサターン対応ソフトウェア(ライセンシー発売)- 1994・1995年発売|encyclopedia=SEGA HARD Encyclopedia|publisher=Sega|date=2020|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320230433/https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee1.html|archive-date=2020-03-20|url-status=live}}

Detana!! TwinBee was later ported to Japanese mobile phone platforms such as EZweb, i-mode and Yahoo Mobile on July 13, 2004.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/k_tai/news/2004/07/13/607,1089689491,28525,0,0.html|title=『出たな!! ツインビー』が携帯電話に初登場!|magazine=Famitsu|publisher=Enterbrain|date=July 13, 2004|access-date=2020-11-14|lang=ja|archive-date=2016-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005193803/http://www.famitsu.com/k_tai/news/2004/07/13/607,1089689491,28525,0,0.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Tsuda|first=Keimu|url=https://k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/19689.html|title=人気ゲームがVアプリで復活、256KBアプリ対応の「ツインビー」|work=K-Tai Watch|publisher=Impress Corporation|date=July 13, 2004|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-date=2020-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302051035/https://k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/19689.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/0407/13/news06.html|title=「出たな!ツインビー」Vodafoneに従量課金で登場|work=SoftBank Games|publisher={{ill|ITmedia|lt=ITmedia|ja|ITmedia}}|date=July 13, 2004|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-date=2020-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311210307/https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/0407/13/news06.html|url-status=live}} The game was included as part of the TwinBee Portable collection for PlayStation Portable in January 2007 and later re-released as a budget title under the "Konami The Best" line on March 13, 2008.{{cite web|last=Grandío|first=Pablo|url=https://vandal.elespanol.com/noticia/22985/anunciados-parodius-salamander-y-twinbee-para-psp/|title=Anunciados Parodius, Salamander y TwinBee para PSP|work=Vandal|publisher=El Español|date=October 18, 2006|access-date=2021-02-07|language=es}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/uljm05221.html|title=ツインビー PORTABLE|work=PlayStation Official Site Software Catalog|publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment|date=2020|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-date=2017-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520135957/http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/uljm05221.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/uljm05323.html|title=ツインビー PORTABLE コナミ・ザ・ベスト|work=PlayStation Official Site Software Catalog|publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment|date=2020|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-date=2019-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418094451/https://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/uljm05323.html|url-status=live}} The PC Engine conversion was re-released for the Wii's Virtual Console as a "Hanabi Festival" launch in Japan on September 18, 2007, then in North America on March 23, 2009, and later in PAL territories on July 24 of the same year.{{cite web|url=http://www.konami.co.jp/cs/etc2.html|title=ゲーム - Wii: 出たな!! ツインビー (デタナ!! ツインビー)|publisher=Konami|date=2014|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517152229/http://www.konami.jp/products/dl_wii_dtwinbee_vc/|archive-date=2014-05-17|url-status=live}} The PC Engine version was then re-released for the PlayStation Network as part of the "PC Engine Archives" line in Japan on June 16, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.hudson.co.jp/pcea/jpn/title/detana_twinbee.html|title=出たな!! ツインビー|work=PC Engine Archives|publisher=Hudson Soft|date=2020|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920225358/http://www.hudson.co.jp/pcea/jpn/title/detana_twinbee.html|archive-date=2010-09-20|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/jp0555npjj30024_00detanatwinbejh25.html|title=出たな!! ツインビー|work=PlayStation Official Site Software Catalog|publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment|date=2020|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-date=2020-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329063614/https://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/jp0555npjj30024_00detanatwinbejh25.html|url-status=live}} The arcade original was included on the Game Room gaming service for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 as part of "Game Pack 012" in November 2010.{{cite web|last=Fletcher|first=JC|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-11-24-game-room-adds-blades-of-steel-sunset-riders-and-twinbee-rumore.html|title=Game Room adds Blades of Steel; Sunset Riders and Twinbee rumored|work=Engadget|publisher=Verizon Media|date=November 24, 2010|access-date=2020-11-14|archive-date=2020-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114185104/https://www.engadget.com/2010-11-24-game-room-adds-blades-of-steel-sunset-riders-and-twinbee-rumore.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Gray|first=Keith|url=https://www.trueachievements.com/n2342/game-rooms-game-pack-12-now-available|title=Game Room's Game Pack 12 Now Available|work=TrueAchievements|publisher=TrueGaming Network|date=November 25, 2010|access-date=2020-11-14|archive-date=2019-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302213957/https://www.trueachievements.com/n2342/game-rooms-game-pack-12-now-available|url-status=live}} The PC Engine port was later added to the PC Engine GameBox app for iOS in Japan on February 12, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/126/G012609/20110214032/|title=iPhone/iPod touch用ゲーム集「PC Engine GameBox」のアップデート本日実施。「出たな!!ツインビー」など5タイトルが追加に|work=4Gamer.net|publisher=Aetas Inc.|date=February 12, 2014|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-date=2011-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104162203/http://www.4gamer.net/games/126/G012609/20110214032/|url-status=live}} In addition, the PC Engine version was also re-released in Japan for Windows through D4 Enterprise's Project EGG digital service on March 3 of the same year.{{cite web|url=https://www.amusement-center.com/project/egg/cgi/ecatalog-detail.cgi?contcode=7&product_id=1148|title=出たな!! ツインビー|work=Project EGG|publisher=D4 Enterprise|date=2020|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-date=2020-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312094553/https://www.amusement-center.com/project/egg/cgi/ecatalog-detail.cgi?contcode=7&product_id=1148|url-status=live}}

Detana!! TwinBee was re-released in its PC Engine form between April and May 2014 across cloud gaming services like Smart TV Box, G-cluster and Hikari TV.{{cite web|url=https://gcluster.jp/games/twinbee.html|title=出たな!!ツインビー/PCエンジンライブラリーVol.4 - 1992年にPCエンジンに移植された縦スクロールシューティングゲーム。|work=G-cluster|publisher={{ill|Broadmedia Corporation|lt=Broadmedia Corporation|ja|ブロードメディア}}|date=May 15, 2014|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-date=2020-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019154803/https://gcluster.jp/games/twinbee.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://game.hikaritv.net/title/detana_twin_bee/index.html|title=出たな!!ツインビー - 株式会社コナミデジタルエンタテインメント|work=Hikari TV|publisher={{ill|NTT Plala Inc.|lt=NTT Plala Inc.|ja|ぷらら}}|date=May 29, 2014|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-date=2020-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114185105/http://game.hikaritv.net/title/detana_twin_bee/index.html|url-status=live}} The PC Engine conversion was eventually re-released only in Japan for the Wii U{{'}}s Virtual Console on November 24, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000010807|title=出たな!! ツインビー | Wii U | 任天堂|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 26, 2014|access-date=2020-11-14|language=ja|archive-date=2020-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029114103/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000010807|url-status=live}} Hamster Corporation later re-released the arcade version for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on January 16, 2020, under their Arcade Archives series.{{cite web|last=Moyse|first=Chris|url=https://www.destructoid.com/konami-s-cutesy-shmup-bells-whistles-returns-on-ps4-and-nintendo-switch-578185.phtml|title=Konami's cutesy shmup Bells & Whistles returns on PS4 and Nintendo Switch - Pop for Twinbee|work=Destructoid|publisher=Enthusiast Gaming|date=January 18, 2020|access-date=2020-11-14|archive-date=2020-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114185105/https://www.destructoid.com/konami-s-cutesy-shmup-bells-whistles-returns-on-ps4-and-nintendo-switch-578185.phtml|url-status=live}}

Reception and legacy

{{Video game reviews

|Allgame = (PCE) {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last=Knight|first=Kyle|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16066&tab=review|title=Detana!! Twin Bee [Japanese] (TurboGrafx-16) – Review|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=1998|access-date=2020-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115225447/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16066&tab=review|archive-date=2014-11-15|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

|CP = (PCE) 95%{{cite magazine|last1=Hermellin|first1=François|last2=Kun|first2=Kaneda|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=51&num=7824&album=oui|title=PC Engine Review – Twin Bee|magazine={{ill|Consoles +|lt=Consoles +|fr|Consoles +}}|issue=7|publisher={{ill|M.E.R.7|lt=M.E.R.7|fr|M.E.R.7}}|date=March 1992|pages=66–67|lang=fr|access-date=2020-11-13|archive-date=2017-09-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908151817/http://abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=51&num=7824&album=oui|url-status=live}}

|CVG = (PCE) 88%{{cite magazine|last=O'Connor|first=Frank|url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-and-videogames-126/ComputerAndVideoGames_126_May_1992#page/n60/mode/1up|title=Reviews - PC Engine: Bells & Whistles|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=126|publisher=EMAP|date=May 1992|page=61}}

|EuroG = (VC) 6/10{{cite web|last=Whitehead|first=Dan|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/virtual-console-roundup-260709?page=2|title=Virtual Console Roundup • Page 2 - 17 games including Ogre Battle, Kirby Dream Land 3 and Smash Bros.|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=July 26, 2009|access-date=2020-11-13|archive-date=2019-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517011145/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/virtual-console-roundup-260709?page=2|url-status=live}}

|Fam = (PCE) 24/40{{cite magazine|author4=TACOX|url=https://archive.org/stream/weekly-famitsu-no.-168-march-6th-1992-600dpi/Weekly%20Famitsu%20-%20No.%20168%20March%206th%201992%20%28Compressed%29#page/n29/mode/1up|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: 出たな!!ツインビー (PCエンジン)|magazine=Famitsu|issue=168|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=March 6, 1992|page=38}}

|IGN = (VC) 7.5/10{{cite web|last=M. Thomas|first=Lucas|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/31/detana-twinbee-review|title=Detana!! TwinBee Review - Previously exclusive to Japan, Konami's classic TwinBee series finally makes an appearance in America's Wii Shop|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=March 31, 2009|access-date=2020-11-13|archive-date=2019-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503130559/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/31/detana-twinbee-review|url-status=live}}

|NLife = (VC) {{Rating|8|10}}{{cite web|last=Dillard|first=Corbie|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/03/detana_twinbee_virtual_console|title=Detana!! TwinBee Review (TG-16) - It's the popular vertical-scrolling shooter renowned for its cute and comical world|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=March 23, 2009|access-date=2020-11-13|archive-date=2020-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223034244/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/03/detana_twinbee_virtual_console|url-status=live}}

|award1Pub = Oh!X (1993)

|award1 = #3 1991年度Oh!X Game of the Year (X68K){{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/OhX1990-1995/Oh!X_1992-04#page/n29/mode/2up|title=1991年度 Game of the Year 受賞作発表|magazine={{ill|Oh!X|lt=Oh!X|ja|Oh!X}}|issue=121|publisher=SoftBank Creative|date=April 1992|pages=27–32|lang=ja}}

|award2Pub = Gamest Mook (1998)

|award2 = Grand Prize 3rd, Best Shooting Award 1st, Best Graphic Award 4th, Best VGM Award 3rd, Player Popularity 5th, Annual Hit Game 8th (AC){{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/vol.-112-2#page/n17/mode/2up|title=ザ・ベストゲーム2 - アーケードビデオゲーム26年の歴史: ゲーメスト大賞11年史|work=Gamest Mook|volume=5|edition=4th|publisher=Shinseisha|date=17 January 1998|pages=16–17|language=ja|isbn=9784881994290}}

}}

In Japan, Game Machine listed Detana!! TwinBee on their March 15, 1991 issue as being the third most-popular arcade game at the time.{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine={{ill|Game Machine|lt=Game Machine|ja|ゲームマシン}}|issue=399|publisher={{ill|Amusement Press, Inc.|lt=Amusement Press, Inc.|ja|アミューズメント通信社}}|date=15 March 1991|page=25|lang=ja}} Both Martin Gaksch and Heinrich Lenhardt of German magazine Power Play regarded the game to be a nice vertical-scrolling shooter with enjoyable candy-colored visuals.{{cite magazine|last1=Gaksch|first1=Martin|last2=Lenhardt|first2=Heinrich|url=https://archive.org/stream/Power.Play.N37.1991.04-kultpower#page/n137/mode/2up|title=Frankfurter Messe Rundschau|magazine={{ill|Power Play (magazine)|lt=Power Play|de|Power Play (Zeitschrift)}}|issue=37|publisher=Future plc|date=April 1991|pages=138–142|lang=de}} In the May 1991 issue of Japanese publication Micom BASIC Magazine, the game was ranked on the number six spot in popularity.{{cite magazine|last=Yamashita|first=Nobuyuki|url=https://archive.org/stream/micomBASIC_1991-05#page/n245/mode/1up|title=Super Soft Hot Information: Video Game! (ビデオゲーム) - Hot 30|magazine={{ill|Micom BASIC Magazine|lt=Micom BASIC Magazine|ja|マイコンBASICマガジン}}|issue=107|publisher={{ill|The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|lt=The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|ja|電波新聞社}}|date=May 1991|page=254|lang=ja}} Maurizio Miccoli of Italian magazine Computer+Videogiochi gave the title a positive outlook.{{cite magazine|last=Miccoli|first=Maurizio|url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-videogiochi-7#page/n82/mode/1up|title=Killed Games (Insert Coin): Bells & Whistles|magazine={{ill|Computer+Videogiochi|lt=Computer+Videogiochi|it|Computer+Videogiochi}}|issue=7|publisher={{ill|Gruppo Editoriale Jackson|lt=Gruppo Editoriale Jackson|it|Gruppo Editoriale Jackson}}|date=August 1991|pages=83–84|lang=it}} Gamest gave it several awards for the 5th Gamest Grand Prize (1991), winning 3rd place in the Grand Prize, 1st place in the Best Shooting Award, 4th place in the Best Graphic Award, 3rd place in the Best VGM Award, 5th place in Player Popularity and 8th place in the Annual Hit Game. Nishikawa Zenji of Japanese magazine Oh!X applauded the X68000 conversion for its arcade-accurate graphics and sound, among other aspects.{{cite magazine|last=Zenji|first=Nishikawa|url=https://archive.org/stream/OhX1990-1995/Oh!X_1992-01#page/n31/mode/2up|title=The Softouch - Game Review - 出たな!!ツインビー|magazine={{ill|Oh!X|lt=Oh!X|ja|Oh!X}}|issue=118|publisher=SoftBank Creative|date=January 1992|pages=30–33|lang=ja}} This version also proved popular among the X68000 userbase, eventually being nominated for a "Game of the Year" award by Oh!X but losing against other titles such as Parodius Da!.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/OhX1990-1995/Oh%21X_1991-12#page/n33/mode/1up|title=The Softouch - Software Information: 今度は生中継68が王者だァ|magazine={{ill|Oh!X|lt=Oh!X|ja|Oh!X}}|issue=117|publisher=SoftBank Creative|date=December 1991|page=32|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/OhX1990-1995/Oh%21X_1992-02#page/n23/mode/2up|title=The Softouch Special: 1991 年度 Game Of The Year ノミネート作品発表|magazine={{ill|Oh!X|lt=Oh!X|ja|Oh!X}}|issue=119|publisher=SoftBank Creative|date=February 1992|pages=22–27|lang=ja}}

The PC Engine port received positive reception from critics who reviewed it as an import title.{{cite magazine|last=Scamps|first=Olivier|url=https://archive.org/stream/playerone-magazine-019#page/n67/mode/2up|title=Tests De Jeux: Core G. – Twin Bee|magazine={{ill|Player One (magazine)|lt=Player One|fr|Player One (magazine)}}|issue=19|publisher={{ill|Média Système Édition|lt=Média Système Édition|fr|Média Système Édition}}|date=April 1992|pages=68–69|lang=fr}}{{cite magazine|last=Eggebrecht|first=Julian|author-link=Julian Eggebrecht|url=https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_1992-06_Markt_Technik_DE#page/n15/mode/1up|title=News – Engine Ereignisse: Twin Bee|magazine={{ill|Video Games (magazine)|lt=Video Games|de|Video Games}}|issue=7|publisher=Markt & Technik|date=June 1992|pages=18–22|lang=de}} Public reception was also positive: readers of PC Engine Fan voted to give Detana!! TwinBee a 24.79 out of 30 score, ranking at the number 19 spot in a poll, indicating a large popular following.{{cite magazine|title=PC Engine All Catalog '93 10月号特別付録 - 出たな!!ツインビー|magazine=PC Engine Fan|volume=6|issue=10|publisher=Tokuma Shoten|date=1 October 1993|page=84|lang=ja}} Both Kaneda Kun and François Hermellin of Consoles + praised the PC Engine conversion for its colorful graphics, sympathetic music and impeccable gameplay but criticized the presentation. Four reviewers of Famitsu gave the PC Engine version a score of 24 out of 40. Computer and Video Games{{'}}s Frank O'Connor commended the PC Engine port for its arcade-accurate presentation and gameplay but criticized the music for being annoying. AllGame{{'}}s Kyle Knight gave positive remarks to the imaginative boss designs and enjoyable gameplay but noted the audio design to be a mixed point on the PC Engine release. Olivier Prézeau of Joypad and Joystick{{'}}s Jean-Marc Demoly praised the PC Engine port for its graphics, sound and controls as well.{{cite magazine|last1=Demoly|first1=Jean-Marc|last2=Prézeau|first2=Olivier|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=84&num=1777&album=oui|title=PC Engine: Twin Bee - L'Union Des Abeilles Fait La Force!|magazine={{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=Joypad|fr|Joypad (magazine)}}|issue=8|publisher={{ill|Yellow Media|lt=Yellow Media|fr|Yellow Media}}|date=May 1992|pages=128–129|lang=fr|access-date=2020-11-13|archive-date=2019-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327210155/https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=84&num=1777&album=oui|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Demoly|first=Jean-Marc|url=https://archive.org/stream/joystick026#page/n131/mode/1up|title=Tests - PC Engine: Twin Bee|magazine=Joystick|issue=26|publisher=Sipress|date=April 1992|page=130|lang=fr}}

Reviewing the Virtual Console re-release, Nintendo Life{{'}}s Corbie Dillard praised its responsive controls, arcade-accurate visuals and upbeat soundtrack. IGN{{'}}s Lucas M. Thomas commended its anime-inspired world and co-op play feature. Eurogamer{{'}}s Dan Whitehead compared it with Xevious, stating it was not as good as MUSHA nor as cute as Fantasy Zone but regarded it as an appealing vertical-scrolling shooter for casual players.

A clone of Detana!! TwinBee for the Amiga titled Gunbee F-99 was published as a covermount alongside the December 1998 issue of Amiga Format magazine.{{cite magazine|last=Vost|first=Ben|url=https://archive.org/stream/Amiga_Format_Issue_117_1998-12_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n33/mode/1up|title=Review: GunBee - Aaiieee! Screamy voices must mean that it's time for a manga-inspired shoot-em-up! Ben Vost sighs|magazine=Amiga Format|issue=117|publisher=Future Publishing|date=December 1998|page=34}}

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist|30em}}